London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

Concern is growing for the safety of a woman who went missing from a North Sea ferry during a crossing from Hull to Rotterdam.

Teresa Cowley, from Mickleover, Derby, was last seen heading towards the deck of the Pride of Rotterdam ferry in the early hours of Friday.

The 43-year-old's disappearance is being investigated by Harbour Police in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, who are liaising with Derbyshire police.

In a statement, Derbyshire Constabulary appealed for anyone with information about Mrs Cowley's whereabouts to come forward.

Mrs Cowley, who had no money with her when she went missing, boarded the ferry with her husband at about 8.30pm on Thursday.

After visiting a bar, the couple returned to their cabin but the door key did not work and Mr Cowley went to a reception area to resolve the problem, leaving his wife sitting outside the cabin.

The police statement said: "CCTV and witness accounts show Mrs Cowley go alone to a sun lounge on the ship shortly after 1am on Friday.

"Searches of the ship failed to locate Mrs Cowley, who has since been reported missing."

Mrs Cowley is described as white, of medium build, around 5ft 4ins. She has black bobbed hair with red highlights. She was last seen wearing a grey jumper, black leggings and black boots and has several distinctive tattoos, including the words "Mrs Cowley" written on her forearm.